West Seattle, Washington

18 Friday

43℉

month : 08/2023 322 results

FOLLOWUP: About today’s port-truck backup
August 14, 2023 1:18 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(Screengrab from SDOT traffic camera just after 11 am)

As mentioned in our morning traffic roundup, port-bound trucks have been backed up on the westbound side of the Spokane Street Viaduct for hours. Last time this happened, two weeks ago, the Northwest Seaport Alliance – the Seattle/Tacoma port partnership – cited a “technical issue” at Terminal 5. Today, NWSA spokesperson Kate Nolan tells WSB, “Both Terminal 5 and Terminal 30 are closed (to)day, which has redirected a portion of the associated truck traffic to Terminal 18. They have confirmed to our operations team that they are implementing several measures to process this truck volume as quickly as possible today.” (T-18 is on Harbor Island; T-30 is toward the south end of the downtown waterfront.)

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Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your West Seattle Monday
August 14, 2023 12:26 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

The weather has shuffled our routine today so this list is later than usual, but might still be of value, so here are the calendar highlights – note that we can’t verify which indoor venues do and don’t have A/C, so check directly before you go:

GLASS FLOAT HUNT CONTINUES: As of early this morning, 19 floats were still waiting to be found. Plus, organizers tell us:

Merchants are holding their own events for people who haven’t been able to find one:

CAPERS Home is doing drawings next Sunday and on the 20th at 2pm and the way to register is by signing up on their mailing list.

Fleurt is auctioning off 2 and the proceeds will go to the Maui Humane Society.

Current Coffee is holding a drawing and the way to enter is by making a purchase in-store.

SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.

WADING POOLS OPEN: Noon-7 pm. Today’s scheduled pools in West Seattle: EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).

COLMAN POOL OPEN: This outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

COMMUNITY PADDLE: Monday nights all summer long, get out on the water with Alki Kayak Tours, 6 pm. (1660 Harbor SW).

CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION: Monthly event, all welcome, doors open 6:45 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic continues at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 7 pm (signups at 6:30) – info in our calendar listing.

PLAY TRIVIA! Here are three Monday night options for trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Alki Elementary demolition resumes
August 14, 2023 11:56 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks for the tip. Demolition has resumed at Alki Elementary, four days after a city hearing examiner’s ruling granting an appeal of the zoning exception needed to build the new school without off-street parking. A week and a half ago, Charter Construction crews had demolished the old portable on the north side of the school and installed an office trailer; Seattle Public Schools had told us at the time that the permits were being granted in phases, so some grading and shoring work also would be done on the site regardless of the appeal process. So far, the district’s comment on the appeal decision has been only that they were “reviewing” it. Alki classes are currently planned to be held in the former Schmitz Park Elementary for the next two years while the new expanded, levy-funded building is constructed.

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Low-bridge closure alert signs ‘a mistake’
August 14, 2023 10:05 am
|    Comments Off on Low-bridge closure alert signs ‘a mistake’
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

As noted in the morning traffic roundup, we’ve been trying since Sunday afternoon to find out why at least two SDOT message boards in West Seattle announced a multi-day low-bridge closure that wasn’t – so far – happening. This morning, we finally heard back from SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali: “This is a mistake. We postponed a planned closure until October.” (Thanks to everyone who let us know about the signs so we could investigate.)

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Memorial service planned August 25 for Mary Marlene Flanary, 1932-2021
August 14, 2023 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Memorial service planned August 25 for Mary Marlene Flanary, 1932-2021
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather August 25 to remember Mary Marlene Flanary. Here’s the remembrance that’s being shared now with the community:

Mary Marlene Flanary, daughter of Frank Griffin and Catherine Brady Neville, was born on 12/30/1932 in Deadwood, South Dakota, and passed on 12/18/2021 in Hot Springs, Montana.

She was preceded in death by her son Donald Schoenberg, husband and father of her children Jerome Schoenberg, and husband Robert Flanary. She is survived by daughters Suzette Perna, Rosalind Schoenberg, and Melanie Money. She leaves behind six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Marlene had two notable passions: music and family. An accomplished pianist and lifelong learner, she took up the study of the harpsichord at age 80.

Marlene surrounded herself with her larger-than-life extended family hosting frequent holiday dinners. All were welcome in her home on Queen Anne Hill and later in her home on Beach Drive in West Seattle.

Her early education in parochial schools in Butte, Montana, was followed by a high-school education in San Francisco, then Seattle. She achieved a Bachelor of Arts from Seattle University and a masters in speech and hearing therapy from the University of Washington.

A service will be held at 10:00 AM on August 25th at Holy Rosary in West Seattle. For those who would like to pray the Rosary, it will begin at 9:30 AM. There will be a gathering at 11:00 following the service. Her family welcomes you.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Heat-wave Monday, including port-truck backup
August 14, 2023 6:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

11:14 AM: The port-truck backup mentioned by commenters earlier is still affecting the westbound bridge all the way back to I-5, so if you have to head this way from off-peninsula, try another option. We’re checking on what’s happening this time.

Earlier:

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, August 14th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The National Weather Service‘s heat alert is in effect. Today’s forecast: Sunny with afternoon haze, high in the mid-80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:04 am; sunset will be at 8:23 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – regular schedule – check here for advisories.

Water Taxi – regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.

LOW BRIDGE

You might have seen the SDOT messageboards announcing a low-bridge closure starting yesterday and lasting all week. No such closure was announced by SDOT, and the bridge was open yesterday, plus it appears to be open this morning. No one at SDOT got back to us yesterday to explain the signs so we’re hoping to reach them this morning. Meantime, here’s the low-bridge cam:

OTHER SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

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BIZNOTE: Owners of Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Café, Launchpad announce they’ll close in late September
August 13, 2023 9:45 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Autumn Lovewell and Monica Colgan have brought a lot to Morgan Junction, with many community-building events and initiatives, while running their three small independent businesses here. And soon, they’re going to leave a void when they close all three. They announced today that they’re closing their three businesses – Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café, and Launchpad – at 6030-6032 California SW on September 30th. Thanks to everyone who forwarded the announcements sent to the Youngstown and HeartBeet email lists – from the former (which you can read in its entirety here):

… While there are a handful of reasons we’re closing permanently, ultimately fate has decided for us with the sale of our 100-year-old building and the closure of our sister businesses HeartBeet Cafe and Launchpad Co-Working space (all closing on Sept 30th).

Monica, myself, our kids, and our amazing staff will exit with our heads held high, proud of the magic we made in our tiny corner of West Seattle called Morgan Junction. With your support we’ve built a beautiful community and have accomplished so much together in these short but long 3+ years. From our Pride marches, to fundraisers, and supporting local marginalized businesses at our markets, we’ve all made an impact together. We’re so proud of you and all of us.

We’re asking you continue to support the incredible small businesses in Morgan Junction. Supporting small is so vital to the health of our people! …

From the letter to customers of HeartBeet, whose Queen Anne location will close too:

… The list of reasons for our closure is long and mostly financial-related, but we are proud of our accomplishment of making it nearly 15 years in Seattle, while all odds are against small businesses. During that time, we’ve sold well over 100,000 dishes of our very popular Buddha Bowl, we served roughly 1.1 million customer meals (wow!), and tens of thousands of hacked coconuts. Together we’ve made it so far with the events affecting HeartBeet: a flood, a major light rail construction project, snowpocalypses, heat domes, multiple burglaries, and even a global pandemic!

The ultimate last straw prompting closure is the loss of our main production facility in West Seattle, due to the pending sale of our 100-year old building. Were we in a better financial position, were financial institutions more supportive of small restaurant businesses, were the delivery service fees through UberEats and DoorDash (which comprise a large volume of our sales), not 30%, and were it not getting so hard to hire staff, things might be different….

In West Seattle, Autumn and Monica took over Youngstown Coffee three years ago; HeartBeet was founded elsewhere in the city but then opened a Junction pop-up before the Morgan location. They converted the north side of the California SW storefronts to an event space that then became Launchpad. Before Autumn and Monica’s businesses, the spaces held others including Harry’s Chicken Joint (closed in 2019) and Jade West Café (closed in 2010). Again, they don’t plan to close until September 30th, but as the HeartBeet letter notes, that may be a challenge if the coffee shop and café staff find new jobs sooner (and the Youngstown message says, “If you have any leads for them, please email us at hello@youngstowncoffeeseattle.com).

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COUNTDOWN: 3 street festivals in the next 2 weekends
August 13, 2023 8:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

This was one of those rare summer weekends without any major events. The next two weekends are a different story, so here’s a reminder:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20: Alki Beach Pride is one week from today, and this year part of the celebration will be in the street as well as on the beach. It’s happening noon-7 pm next Sunday and Alki Avenue SW will be closed between Marine and 60th. Here’s the official community notice, including setup and breakdown times. Watch the ABP website for the schedule of events.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26: Both ends of the peninsula will be partying in the street on this date:

Admiral Funktion – California SW will be closed between Admiral Way and College for the second annual festival presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Festivities start at 11 am that day and continue until 10 pm. (WSB is a community co-sponsor.)

(WCN photo from 2022 White Center Block Party)

White Center Block Party – Also starting at 11 am that day and continuing into the night, the annual WC Block Party takes over 16th SW from Roxbury to 100th. Highlights are in this announcement published on our partner site White Center Now.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, northbound
August 13, 2023 6:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Added: Photo by John Skerratt)

Thanks for the texted tip. Six weeks after the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) got home from deployment, it’s headed out again. MarineTraffic.com shows it currently west of Alki Point, midchannel.

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WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Arbor Heights sighting
August 13, 2023 5:51 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo is from Abigail G., who spotted two coyotes – including that one – around 1:30 am today. She first saw them at 34th and 102nd and “followed them for a block before I could get a good photo. They were both in the middle of the road when I turned the corner and one took off down 102nd and the other one went into a yard.” This continues the recent resurgence in sightings (you can scroll through our archives here). So it’s a good time to learn about coexistence – including encouraging them to keep their distance by not providing food (from pet food to unaccompanied pets) – they can live just find by foraging for everything from fruit to rodents.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Heat alert upgraded – and shortened
August 13, 2023 4:05 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Now that the heat is here – mid-80s at mid-afternoon – the National Weather Service has upgraded its alert to an Excessive Heat Warning. But it’s also shortened the duration; instead of stretching into Thursday, the NWS is currently expecting the alert to expire late Wednesday night. The alert warns of: “Dangerously hot conditions with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 90s and lows in the 60s expected. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness.” Keep yourself hydrated (and if you have a bird bath, keep that full too).

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About those historic-aircraft flyovers
August 13, 2023 2:21 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

We’ve also had questions this weekend about aircraft flyovers beyond usual patterns. Here in south West Seattle, we were just seeing general-aviation aircraft, but further north, a far more memorable sight. Commenter Jeff solved the mystery (and this morning, Kathleen sent a photo): Historic aircraft flying out of the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, from the Commemorative Air Force. Scheduled rides (aboard a B-17 or B-25 bomber) ended at 1 pm but ground tours continue until 6 pm – info here.

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Wildfire smoke returning to West Seattle
August 13, 2023 12:35 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

While out on errands, we started getting messages from people wondering about a smoky smell in the air and noting there are no local fires on the Real-Time 911 log. Yes, it’s apparently wildfire smoke again – take a look at not only the view from Don Armeni Boat Ramp a short time ago (the Cascades aren’t visible), but also the air quality readings. The Washington Smoke Information website also foresaw smoke from the Sourdough fire heading to the west side of the Cascades, with wind out of the north/northeast (which is how it’s blowing right now).

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BACK TO SCHOOL: One West Seattle school starts this week
August 13, 2023 10:46 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Around this time every summer, we start checking online calendars to compile a list of school-year start dates, since it’s a matter of interest beyond school communities – neighbors, businesses, drivers, etc. So far we’ve found that for at least one school, this is the last weekend of summer – the first day at school for Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school at 35th/Roxbury in Arbor Heights, is this Wednesday, August 16th. (Yes, they do get out earlier – June 7th is the last scheduled day of the 2023-2024 school year.)

Side note: According to the Washington Charter School Commission website, Summit Atlas is up for authorization renewal this year; public comment will be accepted through early October. The school opened in 2017. Renewal materials say the school has almost 500 students enrolled.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 18 notes!
August 13, 2023 6:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photographer Jerry Simmons says this squirrel was ‘just hanging out’)

Welcome to Sunday! Here’s what’s on our highlight list:

WEATHER ALERT: Temps will be going up starting tonight, warns the National Weather Service.

WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT: The second wave of 50 floats were hidden by Saturday morning, so searching continues today. (Here’s where NOT to look.)

HELP FOR MAUI: Here’s our updated list, including a few today-only opportunities.

BABY DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY AND Q/A: 9 am at Alki Beach – details in our calendar listing.

SILENT BOOK CLUB AT THE BEACH: Also at Alki, 10 am-noon, the popular “read your book and talk about it, or don’t” event goes to Alki! Details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering summer fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.

SUMMER SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: 10 am-4 pm behind Carmilia’s (4528 California SW): “Vintage, Art, Music, and Street Tacos” – new weekly event in August. Vendor info in our calendar listing.

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day, shine or rain. (1100 SW Cloverdale)

E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.

CHERRY CONSIGNMENT CELEBRATES 14 YEARS: All weekend, Cherry Consignment on the north edge of The Junction is celebrating 14 years in business – 14 percent off and special treats (Shug’s sorbet today) – the shop is open noon-5. (4142 California SW)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Free weekly tours resume today, 1-4 pm, last tour starts at 3:45. Only three more chances this summer after today! (3201 Alki SW)

BENEFIT BEER: 1-11 pm, Future Primitive in White Center (9832 14th SW) is donating 10 percent to Access Walk, which supports people’s travel expenses to access reproductive health care.

POP-UP TREATS: 2 pm-5 pm, Lovely & Dapper Desserts will be at Ounces with their famous mini-cakes. (3809 Delridge Way SW).

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: At C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), live music with Steve Itterly, 3-5 pm.

SUNSET GONG BATH & MEDITATION: 7 pm at Lowman Beach (7017 Beach Drive SW) – details in our calendar listing. $25 suggested donation.

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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HELP FOR MAUI: Updated local list of ways to help
August 12, 2023 11:02 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

As of tonight, the confirmed death toll in Maui is at 89 people, with hundreds still missing. Local businesses and organizations are continuing to offer ways to help, so we’ve updated our list:

MUSUBI FOR MAUI: Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW) and its sibling restaurants will sell Spam musubi again Sunday for $4.50, with all proceeds going to Maui relief. (If they run out before day’s end, they’ll donate a portion of other food sales.)

OPAL’S DONATION DRIVE: Opal Nail Studio at 4155 California SW is collecting items for shipment to Maui. They amended the list (update) tonight via email:

Just wanted to give an updated list of items we are asking for at the Maui Fire Relief Donation Drop-Off. I will be at Opal for people to drop things off from 11AM – 4PM

Updated item list:

• Clear, undamaged storage bins with lids
•Portable Power Banks/phone chargers
• Flashlights
• Headlamps
• Camping Lanterns
• Batteries
• Solar chargers
** Request that all are new or in like-new condition**

• NEW and never opened air mattresses
• NEW pillow cases and sheets
• NEW towels or towels in good condition
• NEW Washcloths or Washcloths in good condition

• Tarps
• Pop-Up Camping Cots

• Baby Formula
• Squeeze pouches of baby food

• NEW packs of women’s underwear **all sizes**
• NEW packs of men’s underwear **all sizes**
• NEW packs of children’s underwear **all sizes**

We are no longer accepting clothing donations, bottled water, large blankets, or sleeping bags.

Opal is open 11 am-4 pm Sunday.

CAMP WEST: Again on Sunday, the restaurant/bar at 4539 California SW in The Junction will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from food sales to the Maui Food Bank.

PATRICK’S CAFE & BAKERY: On Sunday, when this popular eatery at 10003 15th SW in White Center is open 8 am-3 pm, they’ll be donating proceeds from shave ice.

CROSSFIT WEST SEATTLE: Through 11 am Sunday, they’re accepting items at 4220 SW Admiral Way. The updated list, developed with a friend from Maui, is here, and a request for how to package items for shipment ease is here.

GRILLBIRD: The teriyaki restaurant (35th/Morgan) is inviting customers to “round up” their tabs so the extra can be donated to Maui relief – through the end of August. They’re open noon-9 pm Sunday.

ALAIR/DYLAN: The South Admiral shop (3270 California SW) will send you a 10 percent discount code if you message them with word you’ve donated to Maui fire relief.

(added) ARTIST FUNDRAISER: West Seattle artist Eileen Jiminez is donating proceeds from sales at MaeseArt “to mutual aid efforts in Maui and to directly impacted native Hawaiians.”

ROTARY DONATION FUND: There are many options for donating money rather than goods. Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Brian Waid sent this announcement of how to help Rotarians assisting with relief in Hawai’i:

To get money directly into the hands of the people on the ground quickly, consider the Hawaiian Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund managed by Rotarians in Hawaii at www.rotaryd5000.org; (The number 5000 refers to the District within Rotary International that Hawaii comprises).

The Rotarians do not charge anything for administering the funds and do not siphon off a percentage for a national organization. Having been heavily involved with Hurricane Katrina relief, I can assure you that the needs on the ground frequently do not correspond to what we might anticipate from far away. By making cash contributions to those on the ground, we allow the flexibility to address needs specific to this disaster as they become apparent.

OTHER MONETARY DONATION OPTIONS: The State of Hawai’i has an official information page about the fire aftermath, and it includes these two links:

Maui Strong Fund
Hawai’i Red Cross

Any other local (West Seattle/White Center) ways to help, please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two stolen GMCs – green Yukon (update: found), white Sierra
August 12, 2023 8:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two stolen vehicles to watch for, as stolen vehicles have turned up in many different neighborhoods lately:

STOLEN GREEN YUKON: Michael sent this report:

I’m reporting my neighbor Linda‘s stolen vehicle. It’s a 2002 GMC YukonXL K1500. WA plate BPB8585. Dark green. Stolen last night at 11:07 PM from Dawson Street between California and Erskine. Police report # 23-231236.

8/18 UPDATE – Per comment, this was found in Burien.

STOLEN WHITE SIERRA: This report was sent by Ashley:

My niece lives in Port Orchard with her family, but her husband goes to South Seattle College. Their family truck was stolen out of the parking lot. The case number is 23-219742. Their truck is a 1994 GMC Sierra. Diesel. Automatic. Cloth seats, pink & blue lines that fade into droplets going down the sides. WA plate number B54865S.

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YOU CAN HELP: Got unwanted newspapers?
August 12, 2023 7:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

If you read one or more hard-copy newspapers, and have some old ones stacked up awaiting recycling (or kindling, or …), those puppies need it! Jennifer emailed us with that photo and this request:

I work with Smidget Dog Rescue and we have 16 puppies right now! We are desperate for newspaper and as many people don’t get the paper anymore it’s been hard to find. I will collect people’s collections. The pups in the pic were born in rescue just last Saturday! We use newspaper, not puppy pads, because the puppies just tear the pads up. Any help spreading the word appreciated! People with paper stashes can text Jennifer at 206-261-3342 and I’ll come pick it up!!!

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UTILITIES: Brown water on Genesee Hill
August 12, 2023 6:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to the texter who reported brown water on Genesee Hill this afternoon, near 46th/Genesee. As always, if it happens to you, be sure to advise Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800. It’s often the result of sediment in the lines stirred up by jydrat testing, but not always – sometimes it’s first word of a pipe problem in the area. (We did see firefighters opening a hydrant on the Gatewood side of SW Thistle today, not far from our HQ, but our water’s been OK.)

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UPDATE: Eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to 99 blocked
August 12, 2023 4:58 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:58 PM: Thanks for the texted tip: The ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to northbound Highway 99 is blocked. Neither WSDOT nor SDOT had anything in their traffic alerts but we flagged them on Twitter/X and now the live camera has swung around to show something involving two buses:

5:14 PM: SDOT’s traffic center has spun the camera away without any explanation of this incident so far, so we won’t know when it ends, but just know if you’re heading east you MIGHT need extra time.

6:07 PM: A commenter says a friend made it through just fine, so apparently the incident is over.

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New Special Olympics program on the way to West Seattle
August 12, 2023 3:28 pm
|    Comments Off on New Special Olympics program on the way to West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

In case you haven’t seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar: Special Olympics has a new West Seattle program on the way, and there’s a kickoff event this Thursday for everyone interested. It’s happening at Lincoln Park picnic tables 53/54 [map], 5-7 pm Wednesday (August 16th). You can register an athlete at specialolympicswashington.org/athlete-registration and/or contact westseattleso@gmail.com with questions.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: ‘Excessive Heat Watch’ alert
August 12, 2023 1:32 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

1:32 PM: You’ve probably heard the forecast for a heat wave next week. The National Weather Service has formalized it with an “Excessive Heat Watch” alert for Monday morning (August 14th) through Thursday evening (August 17th). The alert warns of:

.A multi-day stretch of dangerously hot conditions with daytime temperatures in the 80s and 90s and lows in the 60s. This will pose Moderate to Major Heat Risk levels and risk of heat-related illness.

As the map at right shows, the alert covers much of Western Washington,

4:13 PM: The alert’s been updated to kick in earlier – “late Sunday night.”

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BIZNOTE: Happy 14th, Cherry Consignment!
August 12, 2023 11:11 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As noted in our daily highlight lists the past few days, Cherry Consignment (4142 California SW) on the north edge of The Junction is celebrating 14 years in business. (Here’s our report from when Cherry opened in August 2009.) We stopped by to chat with proprietor Nyla Bittermann.

She’s busy – while we were there, she was telling a caller that the next available appointment for would-be consigners was in October! However, if you have just a few items, she’s opening Monday for a special opportunity: “We are opening on Monday, 8/14, for you to drop off 10-12 pristine items that we’ll go through as needed. No appointment necessary for this one!” In the meantime, if you just want to shop, the shop is well-stocked:

We asked Nyla how the business has changed since she began. “So many more people are moving to West Seattle, so many new consigners!” Many have come from the new residential developments that line nearby Junction streets such as 42nd SW. Though the pandemic and economic challenges have affected her business like others, Nyla says consignment/resale is close to “foolproof” – it’s a popular way of shopping whether or not people are flush with cash. But one big thing has changed in the past few years – “we’ve stopped getting business attire!” The work-at-home revolution has dramatically reduced the need for that, though Nyla notes that she’s sold more than a few “Zoom tops” as a result.

For her personally, she marvels that so much time has gone by – her youngest child was 8 months old when Cherry opened in 2009, and now she’s in high school! So it’s time to celebrate. All weekend, Cherry Consignment is having a 14%-off sale, plus extras – treats (there was a tray of Dough Joy donut holes when we stopped by, and Sunday she’s scooping Shug’s sorbet) and, today, an art pop-up with Lamb Design Goods, noon-2 pm. The shop is open noon-5 pm today and tomorrow (and that bonus day on Monday).

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